Introduction
This is my follow-up to my Budget Traveler’s Guide to Varanasi, as I tell the story of what I went through in this eternal city. Day two saw me witnessing gorgeous vistas of the ghats, which were all filled with centuries of history. Our boatman gave life to the ghats through fascinating Varanasi stories that had been inherited over the ages. Every bend in the river had a story to tell, ranging from the history of Assi Ghat to the creepy aura of Manikarnika Ghat.
Here, in this blog, I'll present you with interesting tales of my Ganga boat tour in Varanasi, unfolding the magic and divine energy of the city. Let's uncover the untold tales of the ghats that constitute Kashi's soul.
Assi Ghat
Goddess Durga threw her sword into the River Assi after killing the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses at this ghat to allow Lord Shiva to return from banishment.
Ganga Mahal Ghat
The palace was called “Ganga Mahal”. Since the Mahal was housed in the Ghat, so was the name Ganga Mahal Ghat. There are stone steps between Assi Ghat and Ganga Mahal Ghat which separates them. This palace is now used by educational institutions.
Man Mandir Ghat
It is notable for its exquisite Rajput architecture. Rajput Maharaja Man Singh of Jaipur built his palace there in 1600.
Narad ghat
This ghat has a story where it is believed that if couple baths together they will end up to get in fight with each other by the time they reach home, so no one baths.
Harishchandra Ghat
It is named after a mythological King Harish Chandra, who once worked at the cremation ground here for the perseverance of truth and charity. It is believed that the Gods rewarded him for his resolve, charity and truthfulness and restored his lost throne and his dead son to him. Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the two cremation Ghats and is sometimes referred as Adi Manikarnika, which means the original creation ground. In Hindu mythology it is believed that if a person is cremated at the here, then they gets salvation or “moksha”.
Riva (Rewan) Ghat
This ghat was originally known as Lala Mishir Ghat, and was named after the palace that was built by the family priest of King Ranjit of Punjab. In 1879 it was sold to Maharaja Rivan, and both the palace and the ghat were renamed to Riva. The former palace is now a hostel for students studying music at Banaras Hindu University.
Tulsi Ghat
Tulsi Ghat named after the great poet Tulsidas (1547-1622 A.D.) who wrote Ramcharitmanas, a translation of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. Tulsidas established a monastery, Hanuman temple and Askaha immediately above the ghat.
Nishadraj (Nishad) Ghat
The Ghat is named after the mythical chief of the boatmen who helped Ram, Sita and Lakshman cross the river Sarayu in the Ramayana.
Prabhu Ghat
Prabhu Ghat is named after Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh, who ruled Banaras from 1889 to 1931.
Panchkota Ghat: Panchkota Ghat was constructed by the King of Panchakola (Bengal) in the late 1800s.
Maha Nirvani Ghat: This ghat is believed to be where Lord Buddha once bathed, and nearby is Mother Teresa’s former home.
Hanuman Ghat
Hanuman Ghat is named after the temple here that was built in the 18th century by the great poet Tulsidas. The ghat is also known for the temple of Ruru, the dog form of Bhairav.
Kedar Ghat
Kedar Ghat features heavily in the Kedara Khanda of the Skanda Purana, and is home to the Kedareshvara Linga, one of the fourteen most important lingas as designated by the ancient texts. The original temple of Kedar is located in the Himalayas on the banks of the great Ganga, the Puranic texts describe how Shiva established the linga there before creating this one in Kashi. Some scholars believe the origins of this temple may date back further than the original Vishwanath Temple in the city.
Manasarovara Ghat
This ghat is named after the sacred Himalayan lake in Tibet, Manasarovar.
Chausathi Ghat
This ghat is named after the temple of 64 goddesses that stands above it, and was shelter to the great Sanskrit scholar, Madhusudana Sarsvati (1540-1623). The temple was renovated by the king of Udaipur (Rajasthan) in 1670.
Darbhanga Ghat
An imposing structure built by the king of Darbhanga (Bihar) in 1915 along with a nearby Shiva temple. At the top is a shrine of Kukutesvara.
Ahilyabai Ghat
She is responsible for building several temples in Banaras, including the Amethy Temple on Manikarnika Ghat, and the famous Vishwanath Temple. This was the first ghat to be renamed after a patron of the city.
Prayag Ghat
Prayag Ghat represents Allahabad, another holy city 80 miles west of Banaras at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. It is commonly believed that performing rituals and taking sacred bath here provide exactly the same religious merit as those at Prayaga. The ghat was renovated by the queen of Digpatia state (West Bengal) in the 19th century.
Conclusion
Varanasi is a living epic where myth and history intersect. Each ghat along the Ganga has a tale to tell, some inherited, some cut into stone or pilgrims' prayers. The religiosity of Assi Ghat and the quietness of Manikarnika reflect Kashi's soul. Moved by the seekers, the saints, and the poets, I came to realize that Varanasi is not seen, but felt. My words hardly do it justice. There is always something new to be awed at whenever one goes to the ghats. Let the stories of Varanasi guide you. Its stories draw many. Those who have been are aware that Kashi's call is not temporary.